Ibaraki Prefecture

Ibaraki is the the prefecture
located at the northeast part of Kanto region, and the whole east coast
faces the Pacific Ocean.
Formal name is "Ibaraki", but some people say "Ibaragi".

Nearly along the southern prefecture's border, Tone River flows.

In the south part of the prefecture, there is the Japan's second
largest lake "Kasumigaura". Also many other lakes are around it.
And broad plain fields are spread. Only Mount Tsukuba towers as if it
is an island. The middle part of the prefecture has many hills, and the
north part is mountainous.

The southwestmost part of the prefecture is within the commutable area
of Tokyo.

The main industry is agriculture, but because this prefecture is close
to Tokyo, there are the factories and research facilities of many
companies.
Hitachi city located north part of the prefecture is the company town
of Hitachi, an Japanese electrical manufacturer.

The central city is Mito, and it is the commutable area.

The main railroad is JR Joban Line, and two limited expresses per an
hour run from Ueno.

Tourist
spots in Ibaraki Prefecture

Scenic or Nature / Park or Garden / Resort / City, Town or Village / Quarter or Street / Temple or Shrine / Museum or Laboratory / Market or Commercial facility / Factory / Other Building or Construction / Historic place / Remains / World Heritage Site

Main
events in Ibaraki Prefecture

Mito Ume Festival (From late
February to end of March)

It is held in Kairakuen garden in Mito city. In the
garden, there are about 3,000 trees of ume (Japanese apricot), and
their white, pink or red blossoms are in full bloom in this season.
This festival started in 1896, and has been held every year.
During the period, the concerts of Japanese harps, outdoor tea
celemonies and some other traditional events are held.

Suigo-Itako Ayame Festival
(From late May to the last Sunday in June)

It is held in Maekawa Ayame Garden in Itako city.
Ayame means iris, and there are more than one million irises in this
garden. We can see beautiful flowers in early summer weather.
This area has many canals, and boat had been one of main means of
transportation.
So it had been common that dressed bride goes to groom's home by boat.
In this festival, a real bride boards a boat, and goes by boat through
irises. Of course, all visitors congratulate her.

Local
foods and products in Ibaraki Prefecture

Mito Natto

Natto is one of the popular Japanese foods, and is made by
fermenting the boiled soy beans.
It is rich in nutrients and is a healthy food, but it has a distinctive
smell, so most foreigners don't like it.
Originally natto had been made locally as a home industry. But in early
20th century, a natto maker in Mito began to mass-produce natto
industrially.
Since that, most Japanese people associate "natto" with "Mito".

Anko-nabe

"Anko" is one of deep-sea fish, and it is called
"anglerfish" or "goosefish" in English. Many anko are caught off the
east coast of Ibaraki Prefecture.
Anko has a grotesque body, but it tastes good. We eat not only its
meat but also inner parts, skins, gills and fins.
Especially the liver is similar to "foie gras", so it is much-prized.
Anko-nabe is one pot stew with all parts of anko, vegitables and tofu.
The soup are mixed with either shoyu (soy sauce) or miso.
In winter, we can eat it at any ryokans or restaurants at the northeast
coast in Ibaraki Prefecture.